Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are seeing a few signs of spring
after this very long winter!
I know that some of you already are, some of you are still
dealing with Old Man Winter, and some of you are just now
moving towards autumn.
we are seeing a few signs of spring, such as crocus,
early daffodils, pansies and some tiny buds on the trees.
Although, we do still get a few snowflakes or hail drifting this way.
So, while I wait for the warmth of the sun,
I've been busy bringing a bit o' the green inside.
With a little help from my friend, Kai.
xx
(Who always has to be the center of attention,
which we lovingly indulge.)
I guess he is a little bit bored! Shhhh!
Let sleeping dogs lie.
The sun finally came out, with rays shining through the skylight.
I made the little heart pillow with a crochet edge a few years ago.
The green check and gingham pillows are sewn from tea towels.
I've had my 'Irish Lace' pillows so long that they are
considered 'vintage'.
As am I.
xx
'The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune'
-Irish proverb-
I imagine that this could be a scene from the Irish countryside, don't you think?
'May you never forget what is worth remembering
nor ever remember what is best forgotten'
-Irish Proverb-
Pretty, hand-painted plates.
xx
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while,
know that I am mostly Scots Irish, so I always
try to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
This is the 12th anniversary of the start of my blog,
by the way!
Time certainly likes to fly by.
I have made so many talented, kind and creative friends
during this time.
All truly kindred spirits.
Thank you for your dear friendship!
It means so much to me.
xoxo
What's a green polka-dot bucket without two green birds?
I love green depression glass.
I've been collecting it for years - a little at a time.
It's not so popular anymore, and pieces are harder to find,
but I always keep my eyes open to add to my collection.
The 1930's is definitely my favorite era.
My (and Ramblin' Man's) grandparents lived through the Great Depression,
and our parents were born in that decade.
Times were very hard and they told us stories
of their lives growing up during that time.
Of gathering coal, fallen from railcars along the tracks
to heat the house.
Of having only two sets of clothes, down to the socks,
and washing them out by hand in the sink to
make sure they always had something to wear.
Of going barefoot in the summer, to save the only pair
of shoes they had for church.
Of buying one soup bone for the week
and making stew every night with that one bone to
feed a family of ten, with vegetables they picked
as wages.
Of my father selling newspapers on the streetcorner
at only five years old to help make ends meet,
and a well-to-do couple approaching my grandparents
about adopting him, and my grandparents saying, "No,
we might be poor, but we are blessed with an abundance of love."
What shines through all their stories is their love
for one another, and their resilience and determination
to work hard throughout their lives to make
sure their children and grandchildren had
better lives.
These pretty dishes are symbols of the hope and desire
to make the best of a difficult situation during
those trying times.
Amazing that they have survived this long to be
enjoyed by the descendants of those brave homemakers
all those years ago.
This little honey-pot was a gift from a dear loved one.
xx
All ready for a spot of Irish tea.
A sweet embroidery - a thrifty find.
The measuring cup was the first piece I found, many years ago,
when I was a young homemaker.
There are two bowls, one inside the other.
I'm sure there is a middle size,
because the bowls don't quite nest properly,
so, I will keep my eyes open for that.
The spice jar is one of 3 and is a reproduction.
My Irish angel.
A gift from a dear one.
The Ball canning jars were a re-issue of a vintage style
that I bought new a few years ago.
My shamrock mugs were a 'lucky' on-line find.
May the sun shine all day
long, everything go right and
nothing wrong.
May those you love, bring love
back to you, and may all the
wishes you wish come true!
xx
The green egg cup is a survivor of a set from
one of my Mom's wedding gifts in the early 1950's.
A Dear Friend gave me the shamrock mugs: 'Herself and Himself'.
I have only two of these pretty transferware plates.
I feel another collection coming on...
I am ready for some serious tea drinking.
I need to dig out all of my scone recipes!
The 'Happy' mug, plaid plate and small green teapot
are sweet gifts from loved ones.
My son, Gabe, painted this when he was in Jr. High School!
He's never pursued his artistic talents beyond this, though, unfortunately.
He's a very busy husband and father, with a demanding
job in the tech industry, so no time for artistic pursuits at the moment.
A basket full of St. Patrick's Day cards sent to me over the years.
Vintage cards I have collected here and there.
Postmark 1909.
Not really a St. Patrick's Day card, but could pass for one.
Sweet little tokens of remembrance from so long ago.
Some blooms from my indoor garden.
I've had this orchid for years - a gift from my daughter-in-law.
This is the first time it has rebloomed!
Such a sweet surprise.
These are 'Donkey Tail' cactus blooms.
Believe it or not, I've had these plants for over 30 years.
They are easy to propagate, and so I have quite a few.
It always makes me happy to see them bloom.
Flowers outside my windows.
xx
I've been incredibly busy the last few weeks.
Ramblin' Man has had a few minor health scares,
which didn't seem so minor at the time, but are resolving
themselves in a positive way.
That has been pretty stressful.
We've also been very busy with the grandboys - having them over,
going to a science fair (a home-made volcano was exhibited),
and visits with the family.
I had a nice lunch date with my two daughters recently,
and everyone (all four families) are coming over on Easter.
A good friend of ours also had a health scare,
and that has us worried, too.
We are having him and his wife over on St. Patrick's Day for dinner.
They've had a rough time of it the last few years,
having lost their son to an undiagnosed heart condition,
and also losing several friends and siblings.
Their positive attitude and resilience are truly
inspirational and they are wonderful
role models for their daughter and 4 grandchildren,
two of whom lost their father (their son).
xx
I've been busy trying to empty an upstairs bedroom
to turn into a guest room for grandboy sleepovers, and guests.
It was once my craft room, (after my boys grew up) but then it turned
into a sort of storage space for miscellaneous orphaned things.
In other words - a big mess.
Ramblin' Man has been busy doing yard work
in between all the health issues, and we are having gutter guards
installed next week to keep him off the 30 ft. ladder.
Oh, and we had Covid a 2nd time, but thankfully
it was a relatively mild case.
So please forgive me if I have been distracted lately and
not around much. It seems since Ramblin' Man retired,
we haven't had much time to actually 'retire', but
that's what keeps you going, I guess.
Still, sometimes I'd rather be sipping something tropical on a beach!
xx
' May the most you wish for be the least you get'
-Irish Proverb-
But, for now I am just grateful for many small blessings and positive outcomes.
And the beautiful view of Mt. Rainier whenever the clouds lift.
Spring is here, the flowers are blooming once more, the birds are singing,
and we can finally put Old Man Winter to bed once more.
Hopefully.
I know so many are dealing with terrible weather, still,
and disastrous in some places, and my heart and prayers are with you.
"There but for the grace of God go I."
-John Bradford-
xx
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
